PORTLAND, Ore. — Detroit Diesel and Freightliner say they have combined to conduct extensive testing on the 2007 engines and tractors, and are ready for the next round of emissions standards.

Between the Detroit Diesel Series 60, the MBE 4000 and MBE 900, about 24 million miles of testing will have been completed before the engines are launched in ’07, officials say. The Series 60 has already undergone more than five million test miles.

“The launch of these three engines represents our largest investment ever, and this is in addition to the extensive training and resources we have established to support EPA ’07,” said Tim Tindall, program director for EPA ’07 for Detroit Diesel Corp. “Our test program for EPA ’07 is the most comprehensive in our history. It sets the standards for the future quality of our engines.”

Engine testing has included: test cell dynamometers; durability testing; reliability testing; and a customer demonstration program where engines are placed in the hands of fleets.

“The testing program enables Detroit Diesel and Freightliner to gain valuable test miles from both a component and systems perspective so that they may continue refining the engine well before the start of production ever begins,” said Tindall.

For a full report on Detroit Diesel and Freightliner’s testing program, as well as a first-hand report on how the engines performed on a recent test drive, see the April issues of Truck News and Truck West.